Letters of Support

Aggies to All 50 Governors: Warn Trump Not to Withdrawl from NAFTA

According to a study by ImpactECON, should Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. return to "most favored nation" (MFN) tariff rate upon any withdrawl from NAFTA and subsequently the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the negative impact on the U.S. would far outweigh any benefits from higher U.S. tarrifs, including a net loss of 256,000 U.S. jobs.

Member of Congress opposes withdrawal from NAFTA in letter to Ambassador Lighthizer

NAFTA has facilitated significant gains in Arizona's economic prosperity since its implementation in 1994. In 2016, Arizona's trade with Mexico exceeded $15 billion, including considerable activity related to cross-border trade in fresh fruits and vegetables. Certainly, U.S. trade laws regarding dumping and unfair practices should be dutifully enforced and, in this instance, remedies have been sough and obtained under the existing process. I hope we can avoid unnecessary consequence for U.S. business and consumers and avoid creating unnecessary trade disputes.

Withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement would severely harm American food and agriculture sectors, industry groups said in a letter to President Donald Trump's administration. The letter cites predictions about how a number of commodities would be affected if the U.S. were to exit the accord. The October 25th, 2017 letter on behalf of more than 70 groups to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross warns that market-specific focus would bring about trade-prohibitive tariff rates.

The U.S. exported $3.2 billion worth of corn to Mexico and Canada last year, said the letter. Withdrawal “would cause production to fall by an average of 150 million bushels annually, erasing $800 million in value and increasing the need for farm program payments by $1.2. billion.”

Also, without NAFTA, tariff costs on frozen fruit and vegetables would likely exceed $25 million for U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico, which would hurt manufacturing jobs in a sector that employs 160,000 U.S. workers.

27 agricultural groups submit a letter to the U.S. Administration urging against introduction of a provision to change trade remedy law by re-defining domestic industry on a seasonal/regional basis, making it easier for all three NAFTA nations to impose anti-dumping duties on imports of many types of produce. Such a provision, the letter cautions, would put agricultural exports at risk.

Congressmen submit a letter to the U.S. Administration urging them not to move forward with a proposal to loosen the definition of domestic industry for perishable seasonal products until a consensus that avoids negative consequences for American farmers and consumers is made. They request that the Administration focus on developing negotiating positions that benefit all American families and support efforts to expand U.S. agriculture exports by opening markets, not closing opportunities.